Opinion

Perciful, Valenzuela for Hemet City Council

For the first time, Hemet City Council members will be elected by districts. Currently, council members are elected on an at-large basis by which they can live anywhere in the city. Starting with November’s elections, the city’s five council members will have to live in particular areas and be elected by people within that area.

This year, three of the five City Council positions are up for election. The seats of Shellie Milne, Robert Youssef and Bonnie Wright are up for grabs this year, with Wright the only incumbent seeking re-election. Milne is running for county supervisor, while Youssef is simply not seeking another term.

Linda Krupa and K. Paul Raver have two years left on their terms and will remain as at-large members.

With a potential City Council majority being contested, we were disappointed in our ability to only meet with some candidates in two of three council districts. Thus, our endorsements are based on our meetings with candidates in District 3, currently held by Youssef, and District 4, held by Wright.

For District 3, in the west-central part of the city, we met with Planning Commissioner Michael Perciful and political newcomer Bryan Hash.

Perciful, a retired reserve police officer and Navy veteran, explained that encouraging economic development and public safety would be among his top priorities. Hash, who presents himself as an average person who can bring a distinct perspective to the council, essentially echoed Perciful’s positions on most every issue.

Both candidates shared criticisms of the work of the Valley Chronicle, a local newspaper which has taken a critical and at times adversarial stance with respect to city government. Both also shared support for the local sales tax measure.

We recommend Perciful for the council in District 3, primarily based on his experience and understanding of the importance of private property rights and economic development. We encourage Hash to remain active in city government.

For District 4, in the southwestern portion of the city, we met with Wright and Paul Valenzuela, a Marine veteran and relative political newcomer.

Wright, who was elected in 2012, has been a respectable and committed public servant we just happen to have disagreed with on a number of issues.

Valenzuela strikes us as a candidate for those who believe that government should live within their means, find efficiencies when necessary and keep all options on the table for review, regardless of how politically acceptable they might be.

On balance, we believe Hemet could use someone like Valenzuela on the council to stick up for the best interest of the taxpaying public.

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